By Stephen Adeleye
The Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation has promised to partner with the Ladi Memorial Foundation and Chateko Vocational Institute (LMF-CVI) to promote skills and programmes that will benefit the people of the state.
The Director-General of the Corporation, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuff, gave the assurance when the Founder and Executive Director of the Foundation, Hon. Rosemary Ojochenemi Osikoya, paid a courtesy visit to her office in Lokoja.
Yussuff described the visit as significant, assuring that Radio Kogi is ready to partner with the Foundation in the interest of the people of Kogi State.
She noted that the Governor had recently approved the construction of a permanent building at the Okene booster station and that work has already commenced, as proof that the government is working and taking care of state-owned media.
She added that booster stations covering the state, including those for the Western Senatorial District, are working perfectly.
The DG commended Osikoya for the management of the Ladi Memorial Foundation, noting that she has been following its activities on various platforms, and described the collaboration as timely and in the interest of the state.
She also appreciated Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his support for the development of the state, noting that the governor supported the graduation ceremony of the Nigeria-Korea Friendship Institute, where graduating students were provided with skills and equipment.
Yussuff expressed confidence that the Gov. Ododo Sewing Championship would receive similar support, assuring that the Corporation will cooperate and partner fully.
She said, “Tell us the areas you want us to capture so that we can do the little we can for our state. We are all working for the state and we shall succeed.”
Earlier, the founder of the Foundation, Hon. Rosemary Osikoya, explained that the aim of the visit was to seek the partnership of Radio Kogi for the hosting of a special Kogi State edition of the National Sewing Championship in 2026, in support of Governor Ododo’s pragmatic efforts in education.
Osikoya, a former Commissioner for Education in Kogi State, said the Foundation initiated a talent hunt vocational skills competition called the Sewing Championship in 2022, which was approved by UNESCO as a programme supporting technical and vocational education and approved for national scale-up.
She said the programme was piloted in the FCT in 2023, with over 1,000 contestants across six Area Councils, following partnership support from the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) which aired jingles at prime times, including before network news.
She disclosed that the first National Sewing Championship held in 2024, with about 22 states and the FCT participating, while by 2025, 30 states had participated.
Hon Osikoya explained that the competition usually begins with state-level contests before the national stage, where the winner takes the cup.
She said Kogi State participated in 2023 and 2025, and came second in the 2025 edition after the FCT retained the cup.
She added that 2026 was meant to be a rest year, but the Foundation now has a better structure and a national office within the FCT Science and Technology Centre, hence the decision to organize a special Kogi edition.
Osikoya said the proposal is to advocate for vocational education and training, noting that many people do not understand the opportunities available despite the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and the Federal Ministry of Education in the sector.
According to her, the plan is for each of the 21 local government areas to hold competitions in mid-November, while winners will converge on Lokoja between December 16 to 18 for a three-day workshop and boot camp.
She said registration has begun on October 19, and will close on November 6, with forms available at the Foundation’s office opposite the Commissioners’ Quarters in Lokoja and across the local governments within two days.
She added that the Ministry of Education has been informed and publicity materials including banners and flyers will be provided.
Osikoya said the competition is open to all, male or female, in or out of school, within the age bracket of 15 to 29 years, stressing that skills have no enemy, language or religion.
She noted that the initiative offers attractive prizes, citing that last year the overall best winner, a 100-level student of the University of Abuja, went home with N1 million sponsored by partners, while other organizations like the National Commission for Colleges of Education and the Association of Professional Women Engineers also sponsored prizes.
She expressed hope that well-meaning individuals will sponsor prizes for their local governments.
She said the grand finale of award ceremony and exhibition will hold on December 19 in Lokoja, where the overall winner will receive the Governor Ododo Award.
She thanked the Corporation for receiving her team and for its commitment to partner with the Foundation.
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